Pic: nottinghamrugby.co.uk

“We played well and the score did not reflect the true story of the game,” he said defiantly.

“I’d have to say that of all the relegated Premiership sides we have played at Park Lane – Bristol, Harlequins, Leeds and Northampton – Saints were by far the best.

“Having said that we were in their 22 for much of the opening quarter but our mistakes gave them the chance to let their world class back three loose, and they had the speed and skill to make the most of every opportunity we handed them.

“Their support play was much better than our scramble defence and we tired in the final quarter and they didn’t.

“But we scored a try and took more positives than negatives out of the game. In fact it’s about time we started to realise how good we can be.”

However that belief will be sorely tested in the coming weeks. The next three games – Nottingham away this Sunday (Meadow Lane, kick-off 2.30pm), Doncaster at home and then Bedford away – are all extremely tough and most people will be wondering where the Tigers’ next win is going to come from.

Despite all this Fourie is going to demand even more of his players and himself.

“Last month we achieved our target of 12 points and despite the quality of the opposition in our next three games I am going to challenge the guys to win two; we have to push out of our comfort zone so we are going to aim for eight points, after all we’ve beaten all three before,” he said.

“Last season we were absolutely awful and Nottingham thrashed us 50-0 at their place. This season we are determined to put that right.

“We have beaten them in the past but we need to pick our game up and get going against them again if we are to come away with a win. It’s all down to self belief.”

It looks like the Tigers will be taking the same squad with them to the Lace City with the addition of skipper Jimmy Ponton, who should return to action after a week’s respite.

The ‘Green and Whites’ lie sixth in the table with 16 points from their six games (Tigers are 11th with 12 from six); however, they have only won once at home so far, beating Bedford 31-16 while losing the other two to Moseley and Doncaster.

GETTING THERE
Notts County Football Club, Meadow Lane, Nottingham. NG2 3HJ
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